Everyday Seoul

So Long

2007-11-17T10:00:00.002+09:00

Probably you have noticed the lack of my response to comments since this autumn, and actually I've been thinking about stopping daily blog. For the past few months, amusement has turned into a burden and I simply didn't have much time to endeavour so I had to post most of photos right before going to bed. Because of this tiring routine, I haven't managed to properly interact with visitors, which I think is also a very important function of a blog besides posting.

My daily Seoul blog stops here, but another story goes on at my new blog - Cozmopolitan Sunkyoung. So you can continue to see 'what's the craic' in Korea.:)

It's been exactly 5 months since I opened Everyday Seoul. This blog has been a very special experience to me, and I truly appreciate all your visits, comments, interests in Korea. "고맙습니다! (Ko-map-sup-ni-da: Thank you very much in Korean)"

Notes

2007-11-16T23:44:00.000+09:00

Since last year, we've have new notes with smaller sizes, some different colours and designs. 1,000 won is the smallest, amounting to app. 075 euro cents. In 2009, we will have brand new 50,000 won and 100,000 notes as well.

Season of Reading

2007-11-15T23:40:00.000+09:00

It can be said now we are in the early winter but I still want to hold on to the last page of this year's autumn. Besides the season of men (don't know from where this nickname came from), the autumn is also called 'the season of reading' in Korea because the cooled down weather suits well for reading. I'm currently reading 'Status Anxiety' by Alain de Botton, my favourite philosopher and writer and this books gives me a lot of inspirations and comfort. What are you reading these days?

Writing a letter

2007-11-14T23:32:00.000+09:00

This is my friend, Heejeong who's writing a card for me. When was the last time you wrote a letter or card? Me, on Monday a birthday card for my Mom. Since e-mail appeared, we almost abandoned our habit of writing an epistle with a pen on paper and, despite email's efficiency, this has made us more thirsty for human touch.

Sunset

2007-11-13T23:33:00.000+09:00

Korean peninsula has its three sides surrounded by the sea and, shortly after getting out of the city centre, you can reach the West Sea (or Yellow Sea). Cold sound from the sea and warm light from the sun... With just a little bit of touch, the nature makes human being modest.

Metro in the Autumn

2007-11-12T22:44:00.000+09:00

Seoul Metro runs mostly underground but in some routes it also goes overground. Looking at the green line metro leaving the golden leaves behind and entering the station, I with it were a train to the coloured forest.

Apartment

2007-11-11T23:46:00.000+09:00

Seoul is under construction all the time. I can't help but wonder, no matter how many apartments and houses are built, why there are always so many people who can not own their house. In this capital city of over 10 million of inhabitants, a quarter of the country's total population, this height of apartment is completely normal.

Seoul Gaels GFC

2007-11-10T23:17:00.000+09:00

As wells as liaison officer of Irish Association of Korea, I am a friend of Seoul Gales Gaelic Football Club, the biggest amateur sport club of expatriates in Korea. This FC consists of mostly Irish and also has players from Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc. Today they had the last match of the season and, for this final, I got involved to have booked the artificial pitch in Hanam, one of satellite cities around Seoul. Gaelic football rooted in Ireland is a mixture of football, rugby and basketball, and sets up poles on the both sides of a goal post so there are two ways to score up, over/under a horizontal bar.

Spring

2007-11-09T23:05:00.000+09:00

"Spring" the figurative art co-designed by Swedish American Architect, Claes Oldenburg and his wife, Coosje van Bruggen, is standing at the beginning spot of Cheonggyecheon. This figure shaped from Indian seashell represents the motifs from Korean ceramic ware, Hanbok (Korean traditional costume), and the full moon that inspired the artists.

Fire Prevention

2007-11-08T21:48:00.000+09:00

Today is "Ipdong(入冬)", the onset of winter in lunar calendar, and this new season is immediately followed by 'Fire Prevention Season.' After work, I just found the new poster for this year was posted on the wall. If this poster gave me the impression of Christmas mood, however, would I be too injudicious?

What's Going On?

2007-11-07T23:21:00.000+09:00

When I was walking along Cheonggyecheon after lunch, a mouse fell into the water after failing to spill juice from a cup which a girl sitting on the edge put beside her. The mouse was pawing the air to get out of the water and finally managed when it reached a foothold to the stepping stones. Having watched the whole procedure, and on this photo, people are looking at the soaked mouse at the corner that were trying to come up to the footpath.

Signs

2007-11-06T23:07:00.000+09:00

The signs of three restaurants that share one building are standing side by side. The left sign represents 'Ginseng Chicken Soup' restaurant, the middle raw tuna, the right Chinese restaurant whose name means 'huge luck.'

English Differenciating You From Others

2007-11-05T23:04:00.000+09:00

It's been long since I posted about English. As I wrote here before, in Korea English is considered not to be just a language tool but rather a method to acquire a higher status in society. This advertisement for English school, I think, clearly represents this tendency as well as western, more precisely American, culture adoration: people looking at up a girl standing on the ladder (my ideal figure is they sit side by side) and the girl wearing a cowboy hat. Speaking foreign languages is not to differentiate you from others but to mingle with them.

Korean Beef

2007-11-04T23:42:00.000+09:00

Despite the increasing invasion of import beef from the US and Australia, we still consider our beef the best with its top quality and foreigners who have also had it are fascinated by its taste, which they had never got from steak. If you come to Korea, do not miss eating beef!

Handwritten Bill

2007-11-03T23:49:00.000+09:00

As many of the good old local cafes have been replaced by global coffee companies, the new technology has also changed the tool of sales management. Most of cafes, bars and restaurants now are using the POS system with the touch screen calculator. Since this has been very common for long, I barely recognised this change until I saw this handwritten bill at a tea house, "Trinitea" today.

Demonstration

2007-11-02T23:21:00.000+09:00

I had a meeting at Seoul station this afternoon, where a lot of people come and go and also is famous for its good qualification to gather people and make them pay attention to various kinds of demonstration. As for today, a group of people protested against the government's decision to ease the restriction on the capital region's development. Apparently, these people came from the provinces, mostly in South and they could no longer stand the excessive centralisation of all the infrastructure, materials, capital, labour etc.

1st Nov Theme Day: The Colour Blue

2007-11-01T23:55:00.000+09:00

I even didn't have time to give my vote for this month's theme and just listed my blog yesterday. The colour blue feels cold to me, though, as now the temperature has dropped. Hope you can find any warmth in the colour. My photo shows a blue-floor-papered hallway of metro and two pairs of blue jeans two passengers on the seat are wearing. Pick any city of blue you'd like to see below.

Boston (MA), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Arlington (VA), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Portland (OR), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Arradon, France - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Stockholm, Sweden - Singapore, Singapore - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Toulouse, France - The Hague, Netherlands - Moscow, Russia - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Stayton (OR), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Detroit (MI), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - http://www.twincitiesdailyphoto.com/" target="_new">Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Greenville (SC), USA - Hyde, UK - Radonvilliers, France - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Manila, Philippines - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Saarbrücken, Germany - New Orleans (LA), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Forks (WA), USA - Wichita (Ks), USA - Barton (VT), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Joplin (MO), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Quincy (MA), USA - Setúbal, Portugal - Inverness (IL), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand - Toruń, Poland - North Bay (ON), Canada - Le Guilvinec, France - Chateaubriant, France - London, England - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Naples (FL), USA - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Sydney, Australia - Austin (TX), USA - Mumbai, India - Boston (MA), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Paderborn, Germany - Montréal (QC), Canada - Jackson (MS), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Orlando (FL), USA - Grenoble, France - Cheltenham, UK - Forks (WA), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Weston (FL), USA - London, UK - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Belgrade, Serbia - Paris, France - Shanghai, China - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Montpellier, France - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Auckland, New Zealand - Evry, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Oslo, Norway - Minneapolis (MN), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Trujillo, Peru - Trujillo, Peru - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Durban, South Africa - Brussels, Belgium - Anderson (SC), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Wellington, New Zealand - Prague, Czech Republic - Saigon, Vietnam - Ystad, Sweden - Miami (FL), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Hong Kong, China - Melbourne, Australia - Baziège, France - Greensboro (NC), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia

Sweet Red Bean Gruel

2007-10-31T23:15:00.000+09:00

Recently the temperature decreased and as a result lots of people including me feel depressed sometimes. Occasional lonesomeness may be solved by warm hugs from your family and friends and, if your physical insides also need some warmth, how about this sweet red bean gruel? Finely ground sweet red bean garnished with chestnuts, red beans and a ginkgo nut will be enough to make your stomach delightful.

Seoul Metro ll

2007-10-30T23:53:00.001+09:00

Every stop sign of Seoul Metro is written in three languages: Korean, English and Chinese. And the announcement made on the subway is spoken in both Korean and English. However, when it comes to informing the passengers some critical information, it is not always that script is recorded in English. A friend of mine told me his experience that he didn't understand the next stop would be the terminus. So he left alone for a short time after most of passengers got off the subway whilst a drunk man was lying asleep on the seat. It'd be taking a long time and not be so efficient to teach all the metro drivers English but, instead, when there is the announcement in Korean, some people speaking English can help foreigners who look confused by lost-in-interpretation, or foreigners also can ask some people around them what's going on.

Seoul Metro l

2007-10-29T23:10:00.000+09:00

Seoul Metro has been in the big movement of change equipping itself with screen doors, electric bulletin board, LCD advertisement screens etc. One thing unchangeable is, however, that the metro should should place its biggest concern to the passengers.

Baseball ll

2007-10-28T23:05:00.000+09:00

Another photo from yesterday's baseball match. In Korean series, the team that wins four out of seven matches becomes winner. As SK Wyverns won three matches in succession, tomorrow's game will be more interesting to see. The photo shows the supporters for SK Wyverns.

Baseball l

2007-10-27T23:13:00.000+09:00

Baseball is the most popular sport and this week the final matches, Korean Series, have been started. The two final teams are Doosan Bears and SK Wyverns. Even though I'm currently living in Seoul, I couldn't get tickets in their side as it was their home ground match. As the initials of my given name are SK(Sunkyoung), I had a good reason to support SK Wyverns anyway. After all, SK Wywerns won 4-0 against the poor bears. The big white audience is Doosan Bears' supporters.

Oyster with Rice

2007-10-26T23:55:00.000+09:00

Nowadays it is a good season to eat oyster and, among many ways to have it, we chose oyster with rice steamed in a stone pot. It is good indeed to have some food in the right season. Enjoy oyster if you can!

Cinema

2007-10-25T23:53:00.000+09:00

After work, I went to the cinema to see one of the recent Korean movie. It started raining but the place was crowded with people who wanted to enjoy a pre-weekend mood. On the wall of this cinema, there were typography of classic films like Ben Hur, Once upon a time in America, Breakfast at Tiffany's etc. What did you do this evening?

The Mysterious Country IRELAND

2007-10-24T22:38:00.000+09:00

Earlier this evening I went to a photography exhibition entitled "The Mysterious Country IRELAND" by a Korean photographer. As a passionate lover of Ireland, I couldn't miss this chance. Korea is called Asian Ireland and Ireland European Korea. Some people put Italy for another counterpart. The elements for this allegory are taking big pleasure in singing, dancing, drinking and talking, and being hot-tempered.

Trial of Raw Thornback

2007-10-23T23:23:00.000+09:00

Sliced raw thorn back would be possibly less interesting food you can have in Korea. First you chop a raw thorn back and the pieces are sealed in a jar over a week. During this riping process, thorn back, in order to control the osmotic pressure, generates some elements and ammonia. Therefore these cause some stink when we eat it. Raw thorn back is normally served with other two companies, kimchi and steamed pork, and thus they are in total called 'trial.' It was the first time for me to have raw thorn back and I'm glad you cannot smell it on your monitors.

Image Matters

2007-10-22T23:25:00.001+09:00

Some of my Korean friends have told me that, on this blog, sometimes my point of view about Korea is quite sarcastic and thus they urged me to post some positive side about things in Korea. I don't intend at all to disappoint them, however, the impression I got from today's post made me uncomfortable. The illustration shows a man and a woman trying to get in the metro door shutting and apparently they are taking risk of being collided by the doors. The caption says "ONLY BECAUSE OF A FEW SECONDS... are you going to let your image be damaged?" The reason why I was upset was Seoul Metro's approach to arousing people's attentions to a certain way of boarding. It should have been guided in the matter of causing danger or injury, not of impairing your image.

Today, I am tagged by Don in Rotterdam, one of my favourite daily blogs, and the rule to play is to list eight random things about myself that you do not know. So here comes mine.

1. I haven't gone clubbing for more than four months.
2. My favourite football players are Thierry Henry and Arjen Robben.
3. I don't like chocolate.
4. I love Dutch cheese.
5. I want to live in Ireland once again.
6. My current goal is to take the opportunity to go to Europe next spring.
7. I need multi-vitamin tablets.
8. I have a tattoo on my lower back.

Queuing at the Platform of Metro

2007-10-21T22:46:00.000+09:00

Seoul Metro advises the passengers to queue in four lines at each platform due to the huge number of commuters during the rush hour, and thus these green footstep stickers are kind of guidance.

Tree Behind Glass

2007-10-20T23:47:00.000+09:00

Looking at this potted tree behind glass, I thought the tree itself would have been pleased if it were outside the building despite that the air it'd breathe is quite polluted.

Durga

2007-10-19T23:36:00.000+09:00

One of the good things about living in a big city is that we can have lots of various types of world food. Nearby my office, I found an Indian/Nepali restaurant and the place was quite busy during lunch time. What do you have for your lunch?

Night View

2007-10-18T22:28:00.000+09:00

Irish Association of Korea had its first committee meeting at Hyatt this evening and this means the early step for next year's St. Patrick's Day in Seoul has got on the track. The Seoul branch of this global hotel & resort company is located in the very centre of the capital, in the middle of Namsan (Mt.), and have a view toward the southern part of Seoul along the Hangang (river).

Scarfs

2007-10-17T23:48:00.000+09:00

The autumn has arrived and even it seems like the winter's coming soon. Some shops in Insadong are selling scarfs and a number of people are very much interested in them. My colleague and I also bought scarfs today. :) How are you getting yourself ready for the cold climate?

Bike Rack

2007-10-16T23:10:00.000+09:00

In Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall, there was an exhibition of public facilities with a touch of design. Instead of this fancy bike rack, however, I think we need more bicycle paths first.

Seoul Chungmuro Intl Film Festival

2007-10-15T23:13:00.000+09:00

Like Hollywood to the USA, it is Chungmuro to Seoul that is a mecca of film industry. Mainly due to the enormous expansion of lots of multiplex to commercial areas, people do not necessarily go to Chungmuro for movies any more so it seems the heyday has gone. In an attempt to remain its symbolic value, however, Chungmuro is holding its first ever international film festival. This structure is a film reel covered with flowers and leaves.

Posters

2007-10-14T23:53:00.000+09:00

This is one spot in Shinchon, a university quarter, and there are always loads of posters on almost all the walls. They are mostly about music concerts and club parties. It is a kind of good channel from which I get some information about gigs, but sometimes it looks messy.

Sujeong & Kevin's Wedding

2007-10-13T20:53:00.001+09:00

As I said about a week ago, today I went to my friends' wedding and the ceremony was held in Korean traditional way. The couple looked so lovely that everyone was amazed by them, and the ceremony was fantastic indeed. I've been thinking that I'd also like my wedding to be this way, and today I made a firm decision to have the traditional wedding. I'll try to post more pictures from the wedding someday.

2007 Seoul Fireworks Festival

2007-10-12T23:46:00.000+09:00

Since 2007, Seoul has hosted 'Fireworks Festival' around Yeouid0 area that has, among noticeable architect and bridges, 63 building which I previously posted. As I cannot make it to see the beautiful fireworks tomorrow, I took the poster instead. Have a good weekend!

Tin Robot

2007-10-11T23:19:00.001+09:00

Walking on Insadong Street with my colleague, I found this tin robot, a mascot of a boiler manufacturing company. What a perfect symbol for the enterprise!

Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign 2007

2007-10-10T23:46:00.000+09:00

Estee Lauder, a mega global cosmetic company, has promoted the awareness of breast cancer and this year the highlight of the event, 'Pink Illumination', was held in Seoul City Hall Plaza colouring the city hall's facade with pink lights. What a pinky idea! This event has also been organised in other cities like NYC, Sydney etc.

Hangeulnal

2007-10-09T23:05:00.000+09:00

Today is Hangeulnal, which means ''Korean Language Day." Among the things of which I am proud, Korean takes the best part of it to me because the character itself is quite scientific and simple. Furthermore, as far as I know, Korea is the only country that has the special day for its own language so there is an international language conference on this day. What you see on the photo is the very first Korean text which contains King Sejong's declaration about having our own language. I'm sure Korean is the most beautiful language in the world.:)

People Reading, The Happy Faces

2007-10-08T22:02:00.000+09:00

Except the compulsory text books I had to read at school, I am always happy when reading. I stopped by a small photo exhibition named "People Reading, The Happy Faces" at Bandi & Lunis this evening and there were portraits of Korean writers and their favourite books underneath. I'm currently reading Alain de Botton's "Status Anxiety," and what are you reading?

Grand Mint Festival ll

2007-10-07T23:27:00.000+09:00

This is the second and the last photo from Grand Mint Festival 2007. Yesterday's highlight was 'Tahiti 80' from France, who just had the first visit to Korea, and a lot of fans including me have been waiting for this moment for so long. They were absolutely fantastic and showed a good manner on the stage.

Grand Mint Festival l

2007-10-06T23:02:00.000+09:00

Today there was Grand Mint Festival at Olympic Park, a picnic-like music festival. After sunset, a sponsor gave flash sticks to the audience and they made a beautiful scene.

Bungalow

2007-10-05T23:21:00.000+09:00

For a friend's hen party who were mentioned yesterday's post, we gathered for dinner and drinks. We hit the bar "Bungalow" and there were chairs and swings hung from the ceiling and sand on the floor.

Wedding Invitation

2007-10-04T23:05:00.000+09:00

Two days ago I got a wedding invitation from a friend of mine who's getting married next Sat and I thought it'd be great for me to show you this. When I saw this invitation in the first place, I couldn't help but smile with this typical picture of mandarin ducks which are known as a symbol of conjugal harmony. (Recently, I read from a book, however, the male mandarin duck is not actually loyal to its partner and I don't know why they are picked up for that symbol.) This picture of birds has a nice meaning but it's a kind of old fashion and immediately my friend said it was not them but the bride's dad who chose this design and it made her so embarrassed.:) Regardless of the picture on the wedding invitation, I bet they will look fantastic on their wedding day. As they will have the Korean traditional wedding, I'm really looking forward to it.

Rice Steamed in Bamboo

2007-10-03T23:36:00.000+09:00

Rice is a main dish for Korean and there are various ways to cook it. This one is steamed in the big piece of bamboo cut, including pieces of jujube, ginkgo nut and charcoal. And what you see on the pan are sliced beef and garlic. What a good food! (I think I should avoid posting any further food and restaurant stuff for the time being.^-^)

Thai Restaurant

2007-10-02T23:04:00.000+09:00

As I earlier mentioned, Itaewon is a foreign quarter in Seoul so there are lots of various restaurants from almost all over the world. Tonight I went for Thai food and the restaurant had an interesting name, 'Buddha's Belly.' However, I didn't see that body part of Buddha's there, only faces.

Irish Coffee

2007-10-01T22:55:00.000+09:00

Since I joined Irish Association of Korea as a liaison officer last December, I've had lots of Irish company in Seoul. One night we gathered for a committee dinner, and before heading to grub, we stopped at a cafe to wait for stragglers. In the meantime, one guy brought some miniature bottles of Jameson sponsored and these Irish lads immediately began to make Irish coffee with the whiskey. :)

Coffest

2007-09-30T22:21:00.000+09:00

I hardly drink coffee but do like the smell and a good place for coffee. Cafe, 'Coffeest' aims the best quality coffee so they put the superlative suffix '-est' after coffee. What's your favourite cafe in your city?

Sailing Yacht in Han River

2007-09-29T23:05:00.000+09:00

Since 5 working days has become more common in Korea(most of us used to work on Sat until 90's), the way we enjoy our weekend has changed accordingly. Today I was invited to a yacht club in Han River and it was really interesting and also relaxing. Do you do any outdoor activities?

Noodle (Kalguksu)

2007-09-28T23:47:00.000+09:00

Hello, I'm back. Thank you very much for your wishes, and I had a really relaxing time. Today's photo is in line with the previous post and here comes the noodle. There are various kinds of noodles in Korea and this dish is called, 'Kalguksu.' When it's rainy or gets chilly like today, most of Korean miss this warm noodle soup. Eat good food for your weekend!

Noodle Restaurant

2007-09-21T21:15:00.000+09:00

Cheap food does not necessarily mean the quality is poor. With only 3,500 Korean won (app. 2.7 euro), I was able to get a decent dish of noodle. This is the open kitchen of the restaurant and next time I will show more photos of the place and food.

I'll be away for a week for Harvest Moon holidays and be back next Friday. I know I'm breaking the rule of DP but, because I won't be able to have good access to the Internet in my hometown and haven't prepared for this absence, I only hope you will understand. See you later and make a wish upon the full moon on 25th.

Red

2007-09-20T23:22:00.000+09:00

Today's photo is a reminder of July's theme day: the colour red. Red guitar and red piggy banks. I don't know why, but red pigs are dominant for saving boxes here in Korea.

Food Zone Near Baseball Stadium

2007-09-19T23:01:00.000+09:00

Among professional sports in Korea, baseball is the most popular one. Now the season is turning the corner to the final but, as you can see in the photo, I took this on the first day of the season in the spring. This food zone is seen right out of the metro gate, which has numerous kinds of street food. There is a saying, without something to eat, Koreans go nowhere.:) I'm happy we love eating.

Sale

2007-09-18T23:12:00.001+09:00

Have you queued up for sale? Last Saturday I was in line above and bought two pairs of shoes with 30% reduction.

Show

2007-09-17T23:37:00.000+09:00

This guys were hired to promote a new service of a telecom company. What I was thinking about them was 'making money is not easy at all.'

Meeting Point

2007-09-16T23:23:00.000+09:00

'Giordano' in Kangnam is one of meeting points in that area. During the whole week, this spot is always crowded and busy. Where is the meeting point in your town?

Home Pus

2007-09-15T08:59:00.000+09:00

Please take a look at the neon sign on the far right. When I was about to take this photo, I intuitively knew 'pus' would mean something. And later by looking it up in a dictionary, finally found its meaning: a thick yellowish liquid that forms in wounds when they are infected. 'Homep us'... This home must have a pain or a problem.:)

FYI, Samsung Tesco Homeplus is a Joint Venture between Samsung Corp and Tesco.

Metro

2007-09-14T23:59:00.001+09:00

This is a sign pole of metro station, Jonggak where I stop every working day for work. The colour in the circle indicates the number of each line. The photo is a bit blurry because of a strong rainstorm. We'll be having a lot of rain all weekend and also Typhoon Nari.

Traditional Pub

2007-09-13T22:49:00.000+09:00

Currently a Dutch friend of mine is in Seoul for his trip. This is the first bar he visited in Seoul and another friend of ours brilliantly picked up the Korean traditional pub. In the middle of the photo, you can see straw sandals hanging on the wall, which our ancestors used to wear. Another interesting on the wall is that, below the shoes, you can see a portrait photo of Guus Hiddink from the Netherlands, a legendary coach to us who was in the centre of Korean team's accomplishment up to the semi-final 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan and is currently leading Russian national team. My friend was glad to see a person from his country.

Samgyeopsal

2007-09-12T23:45:00.001+09:00

Do you like meat? I do. Though I don't like the way some people breed livestock in order to get as much meat as possible, I have to admit I can't give up the taste of meat. What you see on the picture is one of Korean's best loved meat, 'Samgyeopsal', which means rich marbled belly part of pork. We usually roast kimchi, mushroom, onions, garlic too on the pan. Compared to beef, pork is crispy and cheaper here in Korea.

* I came home late being a bit drunk from a couple of pints of beer over a football match against Syria for regional final qualifications for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. So, I hope you to please understand that I can't reply to yesterday's comments you put.

Alley

2007-09-11T23:10:00.000+09:00

This alley does not look beautiful, but I am just glad to see this kind of place still exists in Seoul.

No Car Day

2007-09-10T22:52:00.000+09:00

It is "No Car Day" in Seoul today. Though the worldwide one is the 22nd of September, because it is the first day of Full Moon Harvest holidays here this year, Seoul city had decided to advance the date to today. This campaign was conducted in Jongno and also a much smaller area in Apgujeong from 4h to 18h00. Except bus, all the vehicles were not allowed to enter the road and both sides of the road were available for people to walk.

Birthday

2007-09-09T23:53:00.000+09:00

Today I turned 29, but I've already become 30 since the first day of this year. Confusing? Let me tell you why. We, Korean, have a different way of counting ages. When we are born, we are 1 year old because we consider the period of nine to ten months in mother's belly enough for a baby to become nearly one year old. And when a year changes, we get one older, not on our birthday. Therefore, for instance, a baby born on the 31st Dec. turns two years old the next day. I know this is apart from a scientific way but it's true we sometimes follow a Western way, such as a medical record. Anyway, it is my 30th birthday in Korea today and that's why my friends prepared three longer candles: each longer candle means a decade and next year I will have three longer and one shorter candles on my b-day cake.

Sleepless McDonald's

2007-09-08T23:16:00.000+09:00

Recently, an increasing number of McDonald's have made themselves 24-hour open. Though it was nearly midnight, I didn't take to grabbing anything there. I also wanted to show you how McDonald's is written in Korean. Have a pleasant weekend!

Jesa

2007-09-07T23:02:00.000+09:00

In Korea, most of families perform ancestor-memorial services on the dates when our ancestors passed away. We simply call it 'Jesa(祭祀).' Since my dad is the eldest son, we have a couple of days a year for memorial. The biggest part about the services is preparing food for our ancestors' ghosts and there are certain types of food that must not be missed and also some rules about displaying plates such as red in east and white in west, fish in east and meat in west and so on. In front of the table, all the family members (some families don't allow women to participate) make a bow. After the ceremony, we share the food, which is the best part to me.^.^ Due to my dad who is a fruit seller, we served some exceptional fruits on the left. I hope my ancestors liked them even though they didn't ever know what pineapple, melon and banana are.

Crane

2007-09-06T22:57:00.000+09:00

Since the industry era in 1960s, there hasn't been a day without a crane in Seoul.

63 Building

2007-09-05T23:22:00.000+09:00

63 Building(height: 249m) used to be the highest building in Seoul until it had to give its first rank to Tower Palace lll with 264m of height. Besides the space for offices, this building also has an observatory-63 Golden Tower, an aquarium-63 Sea World, and I Max Theater with a screen of 24x20 m. I haven't discovered more about 63 Building since my first and last visit in 1988.

Cholesterol Day

2007-09-04T22:46:00.000+09:00

Today is 'Cholesterol Day' in Korea, held by fat and arteriosclerosis society for the purpose of letting public be well aware of cholesterol and take care of it thus lead to healthy lives. What you see is a pharmacy in my neighbourhood. '약(yak: 藥),' the white word in the red box on the lest is a sign for the shop.

People Reading

2007-09-03T22:48:00.000+09:00

For voting on October's theme, I chose 'people reading' which got the second biggest number of supports eventually. The reason why I voted for this theme was, in Korea, the autumn is called 'the season of reading' besides other nicknames like 'the season of high sky and plump horses(天高馬肥)' and 'the season of men.' This is a reading place at Jamsil branch of Kyobo Book Centre and it would have been excellent if they had more comfortable chairs.

Postbox

2007-09-02T23:19:00.000+09:00

Today let me show a postbox in Korea. It's simply red and the symbol under the sign, 'post' is a magpie which is believed to bring good news or welcome guests when they chirp.

1st Sep Theme Day: Street Lights and Signs

2007-09-01T12:45:00.000+09:00

As always, September starts with a theme day. I took this photo in Insadong (again!) and we see lights, street signs (Insadong 5(o)-gil) and even signboards of restaurants on the street. FYI, we two ways to say numbers both in Korean and Chinese. Number 5 is called 'daseot' in Korean and 'o (五)' in Chinese. In case of conveying some numerical information like street and telephone numbers, postalcode or so, we follow the latter. This is what makes non-Korean speakers confused when they learn Korean first.

Have a look at what our multicultural bloggers took in their cities.

Seattle (WA), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - Boston (MA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Mainz, Germany - Evry, France - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Nottingham, UK - Toulouse, France - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Manila, Philippines - Mumbai, India - Montpellier, France - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - Moscow, Russia - Paris, France - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Lyon, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Hyde, UK - Hong Kong, China - Joplin (MO), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Chandler (AZ), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Arlington (VA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - San Diego (CA), USA - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Nelson, New Zealand - Quincy (MA), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Bend (OR), USA - Wellington, New Zealand - New Orleans (LA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Detroit (MI), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Selma (AL), USA - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Arradon, France - Sheki, Azerbaijan - New York City (NY), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - North Bay (ON), Canada - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Tenerife, Spain - Auckland, New Zealand - Forks (WA), USA - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Chateaubriant, France - Madison (WI), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Ajaccio, France - Baltimore (MD), USA - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Budapest, Hungary - Lyon, France - Saarbrücken, Germany - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Le Guilvinec, France - River Falls (WI), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Naples (FL), USA - London, UK - La Antigua, Guatemala - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Paris, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Trujillo, Peru - Haninge, Sweden - Prague, Czech Republic - Oslo, Norway - Grenoble, France - Shanghai, China - Toronto (ON), Canada - Durban, South Africa - Zurich, Switzerland - Cape Town, South Africa - Singapore, Singapore - Torino, Italy - Flagstaff (AZ), USA

Life is Wonderfull

2007-08-31T23:03:00.000+09:00

In Korea, where you can often come across 'Lost-in-Translation' situations and scenes, there are lots of experiements with English. KT(Korea Telecom), an integrated wired/wireless communications service provider, aims at making our lives full of wonders.

Hotel the Sun Bee

2007-08-30T23:00:00.000+09:00

This is Hotel the Sun Bee by which I pass every morning and night. That's because the grey building next to the hotel is where I work. I just thought the hotel's name was interesting in connection with the book title I posted yesterday: the butterfly of stars vs sun bee. These insects seem to be busy chasing lights.

Light

2007-08-29T23:22:00.000+09:00

"He asked his father like this, 'why does pain exist?' 'In order to make changes in action.'"

Currently I'm reading a book titled "Le Papillon Des Étoiles" by Bernard Werber, a French writer, and these two phrases from a page I read today made me contemplate for a short while. It doesn't necessarily have to be pain to make some changes but sometimes, or often, a sort of shock treatment brings the most prompt result. I know today's caption is not really about things in Seoul but, if you let me make some excuses, the photo of a light was taken is Seoul and the book is no. 1 on the best-selling list at the moment.

B-Boys

2007-08-28T23:07:00.000+09:00

Since winning at some international competitions, Korea has been one of the renowned countries of B-Boys. Recently, a musical, 'Ballerina Who Loves a B-Boy' was on a stage at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and it achieved pretty good reactions. This show will be on in London too from 23rd Sep to 21st Oct. These groups of lads on the photo are another random teams who were battling against each other sponsored by Converse.

Seat To Be Yielded

2007-08-27T22:49:00.000+09:00

In Korean metro, on each side of a carriage are there seats for the disabled, senior citizens and pregnant women. Though you can take the seat while it is not taken, you are advised to yield it to those people who do need to be seated on the metro. And I found an additional sticker below which aimed at emphasis on caring for pregnant women who are bearing a life and love.

Beckam Humiliated

2007-08-26T22:25:00.000+09:00

Can you see why I put the title above? You are kindly advised to click the photo to find an answer.

Thirst

2007-08-25T23:36:00.000+09:00

Again the weather was too hot and, without anything to drink, it was difficult to walk and stand on streets, or evn take a step. All these disposable cups were supposed to be put in a dustbin but I couldn't see anything nearby.

Autumn in the Show Window

2007-08-24T23:40:00.000+09:00

Though the hot weather still continues on this peninsula, some people are already getting ready for autumn.

Roots

2007-08-23T23:29:00.000+09:00

A giant hooded sweatshirt on a building.

Snack Cart

2007-08-22T23:14:00.000+09:00

Since late 90's, the megaplex cinemas has been the general trend in Korea. It's ironic, however, that we've got less options to choose films we want to watch due to domination of some major film distribution companies. Nowadays most of cinemas is filled with smell of pop corns, but the traditional snacks at Korean cinemas used to be the one on the picture above: dried/half-dried squid, dried/fried filefish, dried octopus, roasted chestnuts etc. And I'm happy to see that these are still in the cart though I do not eat anything during films.

Starbucks in Insadong

2007-08-21T22:04:00.000+09:00

Starbucks in Insadong is the only one branch in the world whose main sign is written in the country's mother tongue. Insadong, a traditional district in Seoul, is keen to preserve its traditional atmosphere, though the actual circumstance is quite commercialised, and therefore initially didn't approve Starbucks' application to open their branch in this golden place. I'm not sure how the negotiation went, but eventually Starbucks made its wish come true under the condition of setting up its sign on the entrance written in Korean. You made it, Starbucks, but I am not happy at all with your achievement, you ugly octopus!

Closed

2007-08-20T22:50:00.000+09:00

Fusion, or even dare I say it, hybrid. English characters written with Chinese ink on Korean paper.

* Place: a craftwork shop in Insadong

Buddhist Temple

2007-08-19T23:35:00.000+09:00

May the mercy of Buddha be on us all.

* Place: Jogyesa, Seoul

Children's Smiles

2007-08-18T23:48:00.000+09:00

It was really really sunshiny today and so were the children's smiles.

M-flo Loves Korea

2007-08-17T23:57:00.000+09:00

Probably this photo will be the last one about concerts and gigs for a while. My summer has been filled with lots of music and I think I had enough. M-flo, Japan-based DJ + MC duo, is loved a lot in Korea and had their gig for new album promotion, "Cosmicolor." Now you see this photo zone board is a kind of typical stuff you meet at concerts in Korea.

Black Eyed Peas in Seoul

2007-08-16T22:36:00.000+09:00

Black Eyed Peas had their first gig in Seoul yesterday. The weather was so hot and humid that everyone already got tired while standing more than half an hour before the gates were opened.

BEP's performance was absolutely wonderful. The atmosphere in the gym that was filled with about 10,000 of audience got heated as highly as outside.

Independence Day

2007-08-15T23:46:00.000+09:00

Today is 62nd 'Indenpendence Day (Gwangbokjeol in Korean).' On 15th of August, 1945, Korea recovered its national rights from Japan's colonisation for 35 years. Ssamziegil was hanging out this placard on which it is written, "we are Korean." By the way, the actual South Korean national flag does not exactly look like that. The black bars are about 45-degree rotated at every corner.

Pajeon

2007-08-14T23:16:00.000+09:00

When it's rainy, there is an appetising food and Korean's most loved food is 'Pajeon (pan cake with leeks).' And pajeon's best company is 'Makkeolli' or 'Dongdongju', types of fermented alcohol. These alcoholic beverages are normally served in an earthenware pot with a wooden ladle as you see on the photo. Pajeon, which we also call Korean pizza, can change its names depending on ingredients like seafood, kimchi, potatoes. If you come to Korea after receiving my SOS, I will treat you to these two.;)

You can also look around the photos of my home-made pajeon at my personal blog.

SOS

2007-08-13T22:52:00.000+09:00

If I send out an SOS to you, will you come to me right away?

Krispy Kreme

2007-08-12T18:45:00.000+09:00

Krispy Kreme that originated in North Carolina, USA in 1937 arrived in Korea in Dec. 2004, where it chose to opened its first branch in Asia. Since then, its sweetness can be smelled in lots of commercial areas in Seoul. I'm not a fan of the doughnut, though. It is too much sugary.

Hammering Man

2007-08-11T11:51:00.001+09:00

Heungguk Life Insurance Bldg is one of my favourite spots in Seoul. I mostly go directly to the cinematheque in basement and this place is such refreshment to me when I have got a desire to escape even for a short while.

This big art figure is "Hammering Man," with 23 metres height and 7 tons in weight, by Jonathan Borofsky, American sculptor. This man is also standing in Dallas, Seattle and Frankfurt. I know I should have had a more exposure time but I had to run not to miss the beginning of the film, "Inland Empire" by David Lynch.

Lights

2007-08-10T23:55:00.000+09:00

Hey, girls and boys, turn on the light and let's have a party tonight.

Liquor Ads

2007-08-09T22:41:00.000+09:00

I'm aware that many of liquor ads link themselves with sexuality but, regarding those advertisements by Korean liquor companies, the actual way they look is quite explicit I think. Of various kinds of spirits, 'soju', Korean distilled liquor always displays female models who are intended to tempt men to desire to have drinks with those glamorous models. As far as I have observed, I have to admit it works to some extent.

Pull

2007-08-08T22:53:00.000+09:00

When I found this sticker detached a little from the fence, I couldn't help but break into laughter.^-^ Here comes the reason: the message on the yellow sticker literally says "Pull in an emergency." However, we often omit objects in sentences so some meanings can be interpreted in multisense context. In this case, though the message was meant to 'pull (this aluminum fence) in an emergency,' wicked but witty person did 'pull a sticker' in case of emergency. I thank him or her for making me smile.

* I've been trying to stick to the rule of posting a photo a day but was unable to keep it yesterday. On Tuesday I got a call my dad was in ER because of myocardial infarction and therefore I had to come down to a bigger city near my hometown to see him right after work. Fortunately, it turned out the problem is not so serious but he has to stay in hospital for a couple of days and also definitely quit smoking. I know smoking helps him release tensions in some way but now it's time he needs to find another way.

Superstition

2007-08-06T22:59:00.000+09:00

Do you believe in superstition? I hardly do but I think some of them exist for reasons. You may remember Jongno Tower I posted more than a week ago. Behind this quite modern building, there is a little odd-looking golden monument. The locals say this is a memorial tower for those whose remains were found under construction of Jongno Tower. Before setting up this tower, it is said that dozens of construction workers lost their lives, who were directed to keep struggling on digging by a builder who ignored the bones from the underground.

What kind of superstitious stories do your towns have?

Motorway Snack Bar

2007-08-05T23:33:00.000+09:00

This afternoon I was coming back from my short stay (how can I even call two-day off as summer holidays?) in my hometown, Geojedo, and the bus stopped at a motorway snack bar. I'm not sure about the precise English word for this place where drivers and passengers take a rest, fill their stomachs as well as their cars. Anyway, in Korea, these places have various types of food, ranging from real snacks to full menu. However, a sad thing is that not many places have their own specialties.

Pama

2007-08-04T23:53:00.000+09:00

Can you guess how this hair salon got its name, 'PAMA'?

I'll explain it tomorrow but, before that, would like to hear your guess.

I know it's easy for Koreans so I'd appreciate if you would not say the answer.

Wish you all a good weekend.

Sauna

2007-08-03T23:10:00.000+09:00

One of the best Korean inventions I think is 24-hour open sauna. We call it "찜질방(Jjimjilbang)."After clubbing or drinks, sometimes I go to this non-stop sauna with my friends for hot bath and a place to sleep over a night. This place is also for families so they go there and talk to each other late at night. The most brilliant part is that it ony costs 5.5 euros per night, including two towels and a clean T-shirt and shorts. Quite cheap, isn't it?

The red sign in the dark is "한증막", meaning 'sauna' and it was around 2h30.